The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must
This line comes from the famous Melian dialogue, in which a powerful Athenian navy besieges Melos. The Athenians thus speak from a position of power. "...we shall not trouble you with specious pretenses---either of how we have a right to our empire because we overthrew the Mede, or are now attacking you because of the wrong that you have done us---and make a long speech that would not be believed; and in return, we hope that you, instead of thinking to influence us by saying that you did not join the Lacedaemonians, although they are colonists, or that you have done us no wrong, will aim at what is feasible...since you know as well as we do the right, as the world goes, is only in question between equal power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." Melos attempted to argue from a "law of equality", of humanity at its best. Athens argued with reality. Melos, being weak, has no capability at all to discuss anything in equality. Singapor